Manual HF hose reel "upgraded" with Flexzilla hose

Ign · Jan 21, 2017

Did this yesterday. Love my old HF manual reels (purchased around '03/04). This one still had the original 30' maroon hose which has held up surprisingly well but I wanted 50' (which fits but is pretty much the max these will take).

I stumbled upon the Flexzilla being cleared in the holiday stuff at TSC (no more) and figured I'd try it. My second reel was upgraded to GY black hose 50' years ago.

Anyway installation is straightforward but I had to remove the provided strain relief.

Ign · Jan 21, 2017

I first slid the strain relief down the hose a bit, then realized I'd screwed up; I couldn't get it back over the crimp to try to remove it entirely with any amount of lubricant, twisting or force.

I should note it was only 31 in my shop (wood stove was being worked on) and the plastic of these strain reliefs is serious. I don't know how I'd cut it if I wanted to - OMT way too risky and I can't get scissors or trauma shears underneath it (too little clearance).

I wound up sliding it all the way to other end & butting up to the strain relief down there. We'll see if it annoys me in time. If so I think trying to soften it with maybe a heat gun would make it more cooperative.

machine_punk · Jan 21, 2017

Thanks for posting! I've been thinking about doing this very thing.

KDub

ovrrdrive · Jan 22, 2017

Was yours originally a 25' or a 50' reel?

It's just about time for me to do this too. Mine has been going strong for 3 years now but it finally starting to leak around the end connection. I knew it would do that and wrapped it with some fabric tape to keep it from flexing but it's happening anyway. Mine is in the attic too so the heat I'm sure shortened the life of the hose. It's so convenient having it out of the way though I'm ok with replacing the hose every few years.

vwmurph · Jan 22, 2017

I restrung 2 of my old reels with 25' of Flexzilla a year or two ago. Theses get used daily in a busy auto shop environment and have held up perfectly

manwithtools · Jan 22, 2017

I just did this replacement yesterday on a auto-rewind version. It took about 10 minutes to replace the 8 or 9 year old red rubber hose it came with originally. If I get as much life out of this $17 replacement Flexzilla hose, I'll be happy.

Ign · Jan 22, 2017

ovrrdrive said:
Was yours originally a 25' or a 50' reel?

It's just about time for me to do this too. Mine has been going strong for 3 years now but it finally starting to leak around the end connection. I knew it would do that and wrapped it with some fabric tape to keep it from flexing but it's happening anyway. Mine is in the attic too so the heat I'm sure shortened the life of the hose. It's so convenient having it out of the way though I'm ok with replacing the hose every few years.

It was originally 30', that's how HF sold it.

KMdef9 · Jan 22, 2017

I did this as well! Decent real with an ok hose, but I wanted to reach the end of the driveway, so I replaced it with their Diablo 50ft.

Ign · Mar 2, 2017

I mentioned this in another thread but turns out that OP was looking for the full-on retractable deal. In hopes of not derailing his thread further I'll ask here too:

Anyone dealt with this Amflo "copy" of the Flexzilla? Spotted at WM. From what little I could tell by handling it in store, it appears identical, but $7-12 cheaper than Flexzilla at TSC depending upon their price/sales. This Amflo also shows at $29.28 (or so) on Amazon right now so WM's price is - unfortunately- appealing.

I'll likely try the Amflo if the time comes to upgrade my other HF manual hose reel.

Manual HF hose reel "upgraded" with Flexzilla hose

Ign

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